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Chapter 15 — Planned Districts›Article 1 — Planned Districts

San Diego Municipal Code Div. 2 Permits and Procedures for Planned Districts

San Diego Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-18 · San Diego

Cite as: San Diego Municipal Code Division 2 · Text as of 2026-10-18

(“Permits and Procedures for Planned Districts” added 3-27-2007 by O-19585 N.S.; effective 4-26-2007.)

§151.0201 Processing of Planned District Permits

Planned district permits will be processed in accordance with the Land Development Code as follows:

(a) Where a planned district requires a ministerial planned district permit, the
permit will be processed in accordance with Process One.

(b) Where a planned district requires a discretionary planned district permit that is
identified as a Process Two decision, one of the following shall apply:

(1) An applicant shall apply for a Neighborhood Development Permit in
accordance with Land Development Code Chapter 12, Article 6,
Division 1 (General Development Permit Procedures) and Division 4
(Neighborhood Development Permit Procedures). The findings
required for approval will be the general findings for Neighborhood
Development Permits in Land Development Code Section
126.0404(a), any applicable supplemental findings in Section
126.0404, and any additional findings provided in the planned district.

(2) An applicant for a capital improvement program project, as defined in
Section 113.0103, shall apply for a Site Development Permit in
accordance with Land Development Code Chapter 12, Article 6,
Division 1 (General Development Permit Procedures) and Division 5
(Site Development Permit Procedures) in accordance with Process
CIP-Two. The findings required for approval will be the general
findings for Site Development Permits in Land Development Code
Section 126.0504(a), any applicable supplemental findings in Section
126.0504, and any additional findings provided in the planned district.

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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 15: Planned Districts (8-2018)

(c) Where a planned district requires a discretionary planned district permit that is identified as a Process Three, Process Four, or Process Five decision, an applicant shall apply for a Site Development Permit in accordance with Land Development Code Chapter 12, Article 6, Division 1 (General Development Permit Procedures) and Division 5 (Site Development Permit Procedures), except that a capital improvement program project, as defined in Section 113.0103, shall be processed in accordance with Process CIP-Five. The findings required for approval will be the general findings for Site Development Permits in Land Development Code Section 126.0504(a), any applicable supplemental findings in Section 126.0504, and any additional findings provided in the planned district.

(d) A development consistent with Chapter 14, Article 3, Division 7 (Affordable
Housing Regulations) located in a planned district that requires a Process
Three planned district permit shall be processed in accordance with Process
Two as a Neighborhood Development Permit. The findings required for
approval shall be the general findings for Site Development Permits in Land
Development Code Section 126.0504(a), any applicable supplemental
findings in Section 126.0504, and any additional findings required in the
planned district.

(e) Where Section 151.0401 requires a Neighborhood Use Permit, an applicant
shall apply for a Neighborhood Use Permit in accordance with Land
Development Code Chapter 12, Article 6, Division 1 (General Development
Permit Procedures) and Division 2 (Neighborhood Use Permit Procedures).
The findings required for approval will be the general findings for
Neighborhood Use Permits in Land Development Code Section 126.0205 and
any additional findings provided in the planned district.

(f) Where Section 151.0401 or the planned district requires a Conditional Use
Permit, an applicant shall apply for a Conditional Use Permit in accordance
with Land Development Code Chapter 12, Article 6, Division 1 (General
Development Permit Procedures) and Division 3 (Conditional Use Permit
Procedures). The findings required for approval will be the general findings
for Conditional Use Permits in Land Development Code Section 126.0305
and any additional findings provided in the planned district.
(“Processing of Planned District Permits” added 3-27-2007 by O-19585 N.S.;
effective 4-26-2007.)
(Amended 8-4-2011 by O-20081 N.S.; effective 10-6-2011.)
(Amended 10-22-2013 by O-20309 N.S.; effective 12-12-2013.)
(Amended 7-19-2016 by O-20673 N.S.; effective 8-27-2016.)
(Amended 3-22-2018 by O-20916 N.S.; effective 4-21-2018.)

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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 15: Planned Districts (8-2018)

Exceptions & meaning →

§151.0202 Initiation of a Planned District Zoning or Rezoning Action

A proposed action to designate a zone on a property or change an existing zone in a planned district may be commenced in the following manner:

(a) By Resolution. The City Council or the Planning Commission may
initiate a zoning or rezoning action by resolution; or

(b) By Application. A property owner may commence a zoning or
rezoning action by filing an application in accordance with Sections
112.0102 and 123.0105.
(“Initiation of Planned District Amendments” added 3-27-2007 by O-19585 N.S.;
effective 4-26-2007.)
(Retitled to “Initiation of a Planned District Zoning or Rezoning Action” and
amended 8-4-2011 by O-20081 N.S.; effective 10-6-2011.)

Exceptions & meaning →

§151.0204 Decision Process

(a) The establishment, repeal, change in boundaries or change in development controls of a planned district may be approved or denied by the City Council in accordance with Process Five.

(b) Planning Commission Recommendation.

(1) After the conclusion of a public hearing, the Planning Commission
may recommend to the Council by affirmative vote of not less than a
majority of its total voting members, the adoption of a planned district
ordinance which will accomplish one or more of the following:

(A) Incorporate all or a portion of the property requested to be
placed in the planned district and impose development
controls;

(B) Change the boundaries, as set forth in said notice, of an
established planned district and, when appropriate, impose
development controls;

(C) Change the development controls of an established planned
district; or

(D) Repeal the planned district.

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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 15: Planned Districts (8-2018)

(2) In lieu of recommending adoption of an ordinance to accomplish one
or more of the actions as set forth in this Section, the Planning
Commission may recommend denial of the petition or proposal.

(3) The Planning Commission may recommend that the City Council
adopt, change or repeal, any or all of the development controls listed
in Section 151.0103.

(4) All recommended development controls shall recognize and reflect the
special goals, objectives, requirements, criteria and standards of the
adopted plans referred to in Section 151.0102.

(c) City Council Decision.

(1) At the conclusion of the public hearing, the City Council may take
such action as it deems to be in the public interest as to the inclusion
of property in a planned district or the exclusion of property from a
district or the adoption or modification of development controls to a
district.

(2) All development controls adopted by ordinance shall recognize and
reflect the special goals, objectives, requirements, criteria and
standards of the plan covering the area of which the planned district is
a part.

(3) The City Council may establish a planned district review board to
evaluate the appropriateness of any use, construction, alteration or
demolition of buildings, structures or premises in relation to
development controls established in a planned district. Any ordinance
establishing a planned district review board shall describe the precise
powers and duties of the board, method of appointing members, tenure
of office and other rules and regulations the City Council deems
necessary.
(“Decision Process” added 3-27-2007 by O-19585 N.S.; effective 4-26-2007.)

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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 15: Planned Districts (3-2007)

Article 1: Planned Districts

(“Planned Districts” added 3-27-2007 by O-19585 N.S.; effective 4-26-2007.)

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